Mycoplasma—virus contacts,budding and scars remaining in the membranes ofAcholeplasma laidlawii and its virus

Various stages of virus and mycoplasma budding indicated that both virus and, most probably some mycoplasma progeny developed by budding. Besides this alternative, binary fission was the mode of mycoplasma reproduction. Mycoplasma—virus and mycoplasma—mycoplasma connections by stems were observed. Circular scars, 40–80 nm in diameter, often in groups, were left in the membrane of mycoplasmas by the budding bodies. Cytoplasmic structures seen in cross-fracture are presented. A relatively small number of globular virus-like bodies, not identical with MV-Lg-L 172, were observed budding from mycoplasma cells in the non-infected host culture.